Fantasy Football News

The Minnesota Vikings released veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. on Tuesday, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Beckham was signed to Minnesota's active roster off the practice squad for Monday's game against the Buffalo Bills, but he played only two snaps and was not targeted in the 23-6 loss. In his three games with the New York Giants earlier this year, OBJ had zero receptions on just one target. The Vikings need room on their active roster after acquiring veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in a blockbuster trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. The 34-year-old Beckham is expected to return to Minnesota's practice squad, but he will only be eligible to be brought back up to the active roster for three more games this year. The three-time Pro Bowler (in each of his first three seasons in the NFL) is nearing the end of his NFL career in his 11 seasons and will not be on the fantasy radar in any format for the rest of the 2026 campaign.

The San Francisco 49ers did not release wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on Tuesday, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Reports suggested that the 49ers were likely to release Aiyuk on Tuesday, but that did not end up happening. Aiyuk does not count for a roster spot during his two-week unpaid roster exemption after the league reinstated him from the left-squad list this week. The former first-rounder's roster exemption will expire on Monday, Nov. 23, after the team's Week 11 game against the Minnesota Vikings in Mexico City. He has been on the 49ers' left-squad list since last December, but he got the ball moving recently by hiring agent Drew Rosenhaus as he looks to play football in 2026. After tearing the ACL, MCL, and meniscus in his right knee in October of 2024 (he missed all of last year), Aiyuk said he is "feeling great." San Francisco has three options: release Aiyuk, trade him, or keep him. Keeping him is out of the question, with the most likely scenario coming in the form of his release. The trade option is now out of the window after the deadline passed on Tuesday. Before getting hurt in 2024, Aiyuk had two straight 1,000-yard seasons with the 49ers, but he remains a long shot to return to fantasy relevance in the second half of the 2026 season.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales made it sound like running back Jonathon Brooks (abdomen) was getting close to a return from Injured Reserve, according to Mike Kaye of ESPN. The Panthers are currently deciding whether they will open the 21-day practice window for Brooks this week. If the 23-year-old gets back on the practice field this week, he could be activated from IR and play in Week 10 against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Brooks has not played since Week 2 due to a core-muscle injury, but when he returns, he will be back in the team's RB2 role as a change-of-pace complement to starter Chuba Hubbard. Brooks was seen working off to the side in one of the team's unofficial practices last week, so he is definitely getting closer to a return. Due to two torn ACLs, Brooks has only appeared in five games since entering the league in 2024, and he has played in just two games in 2026, carrying the football nine times for 30 yards while catching two passes for 43 yards. He is a speculative RB handcuff stash going into Week 10 action. Brooks is rostered in 37% of Yahoo leagues.

The Arizona Cardinals placed veteran quarterback Gardner Minshew II (elbow) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, according to Darren Urban of the team's official website. Minshew has not officially been ruled out for the rest of the 2026 season, but the Cardinals fear that he suffered a torn UCL in his right elbow in Sunday's Week 9 loss to the division-rival Seattle Seahawks. The Cardinals recently traded former starting QB Jacoby Brissett to the Baltimore Ravens, so things are lining up for rookie Carson Beck to make his NFL debut in a starting role in a Week 10 divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. At the very least, the 30-year-old Minshew will miss at least the next four games after being placed on IR. In just two games played for the Cardinals (one start), Minshew went 38-for-53 passing for 354 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Although he went 21-for-30 on Sunday in Seattle, he threw for only 166 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Even if Minshew can somehow return later this season, he would most likely return to a backup role behind Beck as Arizona assesses their future at the position.

The Dallas Cowboys are expected to sign free-agent running back Kendre Miller to their practice squad on Tuesday, a source told Joseph Hoyt of The Dallas Morning News. The Cowboys had Miller in for a visit on Tuesday as they search for RB depth behind starter Javonte Williams with Tyler Goodson (knee) expected to miss multiple weeks with a knee injury that he suffered in Sunday's Week 9 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Outside of a 20-carry, 70-yard rushing performance on Oct. 18 against the New York Giants with Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) on Injured Reserve, Miller did very little for the New Orleans Saints before they recently cut him. He had 57 rushing attempts for 159 yards (2.8 yards per carry) and two touchdowns in six games played, adding nine catches on 13 targets for 37 yards in the passing game. The former third-rounder from TCU in 2023 has yet to break the 200-yard rushing mark since entering the league, and he will serve as a short-term fantasy handcuff in Dallas for fantasy managers who have Williams rostered.

The Los Angeles Rams have placed wide receiver Jordan Whittington (back) on Injured Reserve, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. Whittington has barely been utilized in the Rams' offense so far this season, recording two catches for 12 yards on four targets across eight games. However, Los Angeles is hurting for wide receiver talent, with Davante Adams (hamstring) already on Injured Reserve and Puka Nacua (knee, toe) likely to join him. With Whittington now also sidelined, Rams wideouts Konata Mumpfield and Tutu Atwell profile as the Rams' top wide receiver options. Wilson also reports that Los Angeles is signing wide receiver Xavier Smith to replace Whittington on the active roster.

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Deion Burks has played a limited role in his team's offense so far this season, recording six catches for 60 yards on nine targets across nine games. However, Burks could get his opportunity to prove himself in Indianapolis down the stretch. The Colts traded away two veteran wideouts at Tuesday's trade deadline, sending Keenan Allen to the San Francisco 49ers and Josh Downs to the Kansas City Chiefs. With WR1 Alec Pierce (heel) on Injured Reserve and not expected to return in the near future, Indianapolis has very few proven pass-catchers outside of tight end Tyler Warren. While Burks is not guaranteed to see an increase in targets, he's a higher-upside option for deep-league fantasy managers than veteran Colts wide receivers Laquon Treadwell, Ashton Dulin, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (hamstring) was officially listed as a full participant in his team's practice on Tuesday, per Dan Salomone of Giants.com. Skattebo missed New York's Week 9 win over the Philadelphia Eagles with a hamstring injury, but he appears to be trending toward suiting up for the Giants' Week 10 matchup against the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football. Across seven games in 2026, Skattebo has recorded 98 carries for 418 yards and two touchdowns, and 11 catches for 76 yards on 13 targets. Assuming he's active against Washington, Skattebo will likely resume the lead rushing role for the Giants and profiles as a low-end fantasy RB2 in Week 10.

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) practiced in full on Tuesday, per Dan Salomone of Giants.com. Nabers has been listed on the injury report with a knee issue over the past couple of weeks, but he appears to be trending toward being active for New York's Week 10 matchup against the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football. The 23-year-old has been highly productive for the Giants this season, recording 53 catches for 648 yards and two touchdowns on 78 targets across eight games. Assuming he's active against the Commanders, Nabers profiles as a must-start wide receiver for fantasy managers in Week 10.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert drew a trade inquiry from the Minnesota Vikings before Tuesday's deadline, according to Jordan Schultz. The Chargers immediately turned away inquiries about Herbert, Schultz reported. Herbert's five-year, $262.5 million extension, signed in 2023, runs through 2029 and includes a no-trade clause. He has started all eight games for the winless Chargers, throwing for 1,591 yards with six touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Houston sacked Herbert a career-high eight times Sunday, bringing his season total to 31. He threw for 193 yards with a touchdown and an interception before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with an injury to his left middle finger. Head coach Jim Harbaugh kept him out for the rest of the game and said Monday that X-rays were negative and Herbert should be good to go. Herbert has thrown an interception in every start this season and has yet to throw more than one touchdown pass in a game. RotoBaller ranks him QB25 in its early Week 10 rankings ahead of Monday night's road game against Baltimore.

Miami Dolphins backup quarterback Kyle McCord is in line to start his team's Week 10 matchup against the Buffalo Bills following the team's placement of QB1 Malik Willis (groin) on Injured Reserve, per Sal Capaccio of WGR 550. A sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, McCord has yet to appear in an NFL game. He spent the 2025 season on the Eagles' practice squad before being signed by the Green Bay Packers in January and then being traded to Miami right before the start of the 2026 season. McCord has a favorable matchup in what will likely be his first NFL start in Week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts, which could give him some waiver wire appeal in two-QB fantasy formats. Still, the 24-year-old is extremely unproven, and he doesn't have an amazing supporting cast of weapons around him with the Dolphins.

The Tennessee Titans will keep running back Tony Pollard through the trade deadline, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. The 29-year-old Pollard is currently playing out the final year of his contract with the one-win Titans, leading to speculation that he could be on the move to a contender. Instead, it appears as though the veteran running back will remain with Tennessee to finish out the 2026 season. Pollard has been productive this season, recording 665 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns on 147 touches across eight games. He's played his best football lately, collecting 292 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns on 52 touches over his last two games. Still, Pollard's fantasy outlook would have been improved with a move to a more potent scoring offense, assuming he had retained a lead backfield role.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (groin) is expected to go on injured reserve, according to Tom Pelissero, who reported that an MRI showed his groin injury had developed into a core muscle injury. Willis needs rest and could still return this season, Pelissero reported. If Miami makes the move this week, Willis would miss at least four games and first be eligible to return against Chicago in Week 14. Willis practiced in full Friday before completing 13 of 25 passes for 128 yards with an interception in Sunday's loss to Detroit. Head coach Jeff Hafley said Monday that Willis lacked his usual speed when escaping pressure. Willis has run for nine yards on three carries over his past two games after rushing for 37 yards and a touchdown against the Jets in Week 7. Kyle McCord is Miami's only other quarterback on the active roster and would be in line to start Sunday at Indianapolis. McCord has yet to attempt a regular-season pass this year, and Brady Cook is on the practice squad.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (hamstring) is currently dealing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain that is week-to-week, and he is expected to miss more time past the Monday night loss to the Buffalo Bills, according to James Palmer. The Vikings pulled off a blockbuster trade on Tuesday to acquire veteran QB Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders, and with Cousins coming in on a Tuesday, he could possibly make his return to the Vikings this Sunday to take on the division-rival Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The 29-year-old Murray has missed time with injuries in his first year in Minnesota, and when he has been active, he has struggled to pick up head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense, completing 64.9% of his pass attempts for 1,022 yards (6.6 yards per attempt), five touchdowns, and three interceptions in six starts. With Cousins now back in Minnesota, Murray will now be the Vikings' QB2 in a backup role, which kills what little superflex fantasy value he had left. The Vikings do not want to have to turn back to Carson Wentz this Sunday against Green Bay, so they will do everything in their power to get Cousins up to speed to play in Week 10.

The Atlanta Falcons did background work on a potential contract extension for defensive back Jessie Bates III and pondered how it may fit into a rough outline of 2027 free-agent plans, according to Daniel Flick of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. However, the Falcons felt that the Jacksonville Jaguars' offer made them better in the long run. Atlanta ended up sending Bates to the Jaguars on Monday for a second-rounder in 2027 and a fifth-rounder in 2028, which is a quality return for a 29-year-old safety who was on an expiring deal. Bates will be a nice addition for Jacksonville, which recently lost defensive back Eric Murray to a season-ending elbow injury. Bates, a former second-rounder by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018 from Wake Forest, heads to Duval after recording 60 tackles (35 solo), one interception, four pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in nine games in 2026 in his fourth year with the Falcons.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is set to join the Kansas City Chiefs in a deadline trade, according to Tom Pelissero. Indianapolis would send a 2027 seventh-round pick with Downs and receive fourth- and fifth-round picks in the same draft. Downs requested a trade in October and caught 33 passes for 354 yards and a touchdown in nine games this season. His season-high seven catches came against Kansas City in Week 2, when he finished with 72 yards. Downs has primarily played in the slot, and Kansas City has been rotating its third receiver behind Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. Andrew Armstrong, Jalen Royals and Cyrus Allen played between 19 and 22 offensive snaps apiece in Sunday's win over the Jets. They drew three targets combined, while Rice and Worthy drew 13. Downs saw 23 targets in his last four games with the Colts. In deeper PPR leagues, he's worth stashing until his first games in Kansas City show whether he can earn regular routes alongside Rice and Worthy in three-receiver sets.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus said on The Pat McAfee Show that Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings (calf) is dealing with a calf strain but is hopeful to return in Week 10 against the division-rival Green Bay Packers. Rosenhaus added that Jennings seems very happy in Minnesota and that it is his belief that he will stay with the Vikings beyond Tuesday's NFL trade deadline. Jennings reportedly turned down a potential trade that was being worked out for the 49ers to reacquire him. Instead, the Niners pivoted and acquired veteran pass-catcher Keenan Allen from the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday. The 29-year-old has been a non-factor in the Vikings' offense through his six games played so far in 2026, catching only six passes for 54 yards and no touchdowns. However, the addition of veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins should be good news for Jennings, Justin Jefferson, and Jordan Addison in the second half of the season. Target volume is still going to be an issue when Jennings returns in Minnesota, though, and he will probably continue to be a hard-to-trust WR4/5 in fantasy.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver David Moore was released Tuesday after appearing in six games this season. His only catch was a 27-yard gain against Philadelphia in Week 6. Moore played 13 offensive snaps against Tampa Bay the following week, but his only snap in Sunday's loss to Denver came on a 17-yard punt return, his longest of the season. Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker each played at least 80% of Carolina's offensive snaps against the Broncos, with Brycen Tremayne getting 21 snaps and John Metchie III getting 19. Carolina signed Moore from the practice squad on Sept. 30 and listed him as its lead punt and kickoff returner in October. Anthony Tyus III handled all four of Carolina's kickoff returns against Denver for 110 yards and leads the team with 18 kickoff returns for 451 yards. Trevor Etienne gained nine yards on Carolina's other punt return Sunday. The Panthers have been looking to expand his role on special teams, and Etienne already leads the team with seven punt returns to Moore's four.

Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter expects wide receiver Josh Downs to bounce back this year, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. "He's had good energy around here. He's getting ready for each game the right way. You're gonna have some peaks and valleys in the career. The story's not written yet on Josh Downs' season. I anticipate him bouncing back," Cooter said. Downs was a popular breakout candidate during the preseason after the Colts traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason, but the 25-year-old has not lived up to expectations with a bigger role, and he has been an even bigger disappointment considering that Alec Pierce (heel) has missed most of the year due to injury. In nine games played, Downs has 33 receptions for 354 yards (10.7 yards per catch) and just one touchdown. In a great matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9, Downs fell flat, catching three of his six targets for 24 yards. The Colts traded Keenan Allen to the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, so Downs will have an even higher target share going forward, although he will also see more attention from opposing defenses in the second half of the year.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is expected to stay with the team through Tuesday's trade deadline, according to Tom Pelissero. Pelissero reported that multiple teams offered a second-round pick plus additional compensation, but the Colts were seeking a much bigger return. Indianapolis signed Taylor to a two-year extension in August that runs through 2028, then traded left guard Quenton Nelson to Seattle in October. Taylor has averaged 3.3 yards per carry in the two games since that trade, down from 4.2 over his first seven games. He scored eight rushing touchdowns before the trade and has rushed for 69 yards on 21 carries without a score since. Taylor still handled 18 touches in Sunday's loss to Dallas, including a season-high five catches. Seth McGowan had six carries for 45 yards and scored from two yards out. Taylor has nine catches over the past two games, one more than in the previous four combined. That receiving work helps offset his rushing slump in PPR leagues heading into Sunday's Week 10 matchup with Miami.